Hilton Head

You'll need to slow down if you want to fit in on Hilton Head. This 42-square-mile barrier island may attract a more affluent clientele, but you don't have to rush to keep up with the Joneses. Follow the residents' leisurely pace – the population is made up of Gullah or freed slaves who settled in the area, and East Coast mainlanders who make Hilton Head their second home. Your vacation companions will most likely be white-haired retirees and young families. So, if you're looking for a wild nightlife scene, this might not be the place for you. This isn't to say there isn't nightlife – there is, but it takes the form of leisurely sunset dinners and lives music on the waterfront.

If you know anything about the island, you'll know that golfing, tennis, and "spa-ing" are how it got its wealthy reputation. However, you could spend an entire vacation here without ever picking up a golf club or a tennis racket. The island is full of natural wonders, such as the Coastal Discovery Museum and the Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, as well as 12 miles of sandy beaches. So, whether you came to see low country wildlife, practice your backhand, or simply relax on the sand, Hilton Head has something for you.